Connecticut Veteran Financial Benefits
Connecticut offers a number of state tax advantages for service members, Veterans, and their families:
Military Income Tax
Connecticut generally taxes military income for residents unless the service member:
- Does not maintain a permanent home in Connecticut
- Has a permanent residence in another state (temporary housing doesn’t count)
- Spends 30 days or fewer in Connecticut annually
Service members who’ve been stationed abroad for an extended period may qualify for the Group B Exception. Refer to Connecticut’s tax guide for more on that.
Additionally, Connecticut mirrors federal tax relief for those serving in combat zones, including:
- A 180-day extension to file and pay taxes during deployment or while recovering from combat-related injuries
- Tax exclusions on base pay, bonuses, hazard pay, and other qualified income
Retired Military Pay
Military retirement pay is fully exempt from Connecticut state income taxes—so long as it’s taxable at the federal level. However, ex-spouses receiving a share of that pay due to a divorce decree are not eligible for the exemption.
Military Disability Pay & VA Benefits
Military disability compensation and VA-provided benefits—including disability pensions, adapted housing or vehicle grants, and DIC payments for survivors—are fully exempt from state taxation.
Spouse Tax Relief
Thanks to the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act, nonresident spouses of service members stationed in Connecticut are exempt from state income tax if they share the same home state as their service member spouse.
Property Tax Exemptions
Beginning October 1, 2024, Connecticut will offer a full property tax exemption to Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability. If the Veteran doesn’t own a home, they may apply the exemption to one motor vehicle.
Property tax relief also includes:
- WWII Veterans: $1,500
- Wartime Veterans: $1,000
- Disabled Veterans: $2,000 to $3,500 based on rating
- Severely disabled Veterans: up to $10,000
- Surviving spouses and children: $1,000 to $3,000
Municipalities can offer additional relief and set income-based qualifications. Veterans should check with their local tax assessor for exact amounts and how to apply.
Sales Tax on Vehicle Purchases for Nonresident Service Members
Active-duty nonresidents stationed in Connecticut qualify for a reduced vehicle sales tax rate of 4.5% when buying or leasing a vehicle (including joint purchases with a spouse). To claim this, service members must file Form CERT-135 with their dealer.
Combat-Related Death Tax Relief
If a Connecticut resident dies from wounds sustained in a combat zone, their income taxes for that year are waived—and any payments already made will be refunded.
Connecticut Sales Tax Overview
- State Rate: 6.35%
- No county or local sales tax
- Exemptions: prescription & OTC medications, medical equipment, bicycle helmets, and most unprepared food items
Recreation
Connecticut Hunting, Fishing & Outdoor Benefits for Veterans and Service Members
Connecticut extends several outdoor recreation privileges to Veterans, Service members, and individuals with disabilities:
Resident Pricing for Nonresident Service Members
Active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed outside of Connecticut—but not residents—can purchase Connecticut hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses at resident rates. A valid military ID or proof of active-duty status must be carried while engaging in these activities.
Free Fishing & Small Game Licenses for Disabled Residents
Connecticut residents who have lost a limb or the use of one are entitled to free inland fishing and small game hunting licenses. A doctor’s certification of the disability is required. Nonresidents may also qualify, but only if their home state offers similar benefits to Connecticut residents.
Group Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veteran Programs
Connecticut offers group fishing licenses to nonprofits that run fishing events for disabled Veterans.
- Up to 50 events annually
- Up to 50 Veterans per event
- License fee: $125 per event
Lifetime State Park Pass for Disabled Veterans
Veterans with a service-connected disability can receive a free lifetime pass to all Connecticut State Parks and Forests. This pass is:
- Valid only for the Veteran named on it
- Not applicable for camping, special events, or commercial use
To apply, Veterans must provide proof of residency (e.g., CT driver’s license) and documentation from the VA showing a service-connected disability. Applications can be submitted in person at select parks or by mail.
Other Connecticut Benefits for Veterans and Military Families
Connecticut offers several additional support programs designed to recognize and assist those who’ve served, along with their families.
Connecticut Wartime Service Bonus
Connecticut National Guard members—both current and former—may be eligible for a financial bonus in recognition of their service during the Global War on Terrorism. This bonus provides $50 for every month served on active duty, capped at $500 for non-combat service and up to $1,200 for service in a combat zone.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify, the applicant must:
- Be a current or former member of the Connecticut National Guard
- Have served at least 90 consecutive days on active duty since September 11, 2001, as part of a reserve component
- Have been mobilized in support of a designated military operation (e.g., Operation Enduring Freedom)
- Have received an honorable discharge or been discharged due to service-connected injuries
- If service was in a different reserve component, applicant must now be an active member of the Connecticut National Guard
Required Documents:
- Proof of CT National Guard membership
- Confirmation of deployment details (active duty and combat service dates, if applicable)
Connecticut Military Family Relief Fund
This program provides financial assistance to Service members and their families facing economic hardship due to military service. Grant amounts vary by circumstance but may not exceed $5,000.
Who Can Apply:
- Active duty members of any U.S. Armed Forces component
- Immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, or sibling)
- Applicants must reside in Connecticut or have CT listed as their home of record
- The hardship must be directly caused or worsened by the Service member’s military duties
Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund (SSMF)
Managed by the American Legion, the SSMF offers temporary financial relief to eligible Veterans and their dependents. Assistance may cover:
- Basic living expenses
- Rent or mortgage interest payments
- Utility bills (electricity, water, gas, home heating)
- Limited medical costs
- Emergency dental services for the Veteran
- Vision exams and eyeglasses
- Hearing tests and hearing aids
- Funeral-related costs
- Essential medical equipment
These programs reflect Connecticut’s ongoing commitment to caring for those who have served and sacrificed.
Education Programs
Connecticut Educational Benefits for Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families
Connecticut offers tuition waivers at public colleges and universities to qualifying Veterans, Connecticut National Guard members, and certain dependents. This benefit covers tuition costs that exceed what is provided through VA education benefits or employer-sponsored aid. While the waiver does not include fees such as textbooks, campus activities, parking, or housing, eligible Veterans attending Connecticut State University campuses receive full tuition coverage for fall and spring semesters, and a 50% waiver for summer or intersession classes.
Community colleges in Connecticut also offer tuition waivers for full- or part-time students, though this benefit does not apply to summer, intersession, or extension-funded programs. Charter Oak State College provides a 50% discount on course fees for qualified Veterans.
High School Diplomas for Veterans of Past Wars
Connecticut allows school districts to issue high school diplomas to honorably discharged Veterans who left school early to serve during WWII, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Veterans interested in receiving a diploma can reach out to the board of education in their local district.
Educational Support for Military Children
Through the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, Connecticut helps ease school transitions for the children of military families. This agreement supports timely enrollment, standardizes placement, ensures eligibility for extracurricular programs, and promotes smooth transitions to graduation. It fosters coordination between schools and military families and encourages flexibility to support student success amidst relocations and deployments.
Housing Assistance: Below are the locations of Veterans Homes available.
Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs – Patriots’ Landing
Located in Rocky Hill, Patriots’ Landing offers transitional housing through five fully furnished, single-family homes, each with three bedrooms. These homes are designed for homeless Veterans and their families, including spouses and children. Each unit comes equipped with household essentials, such as bedding, furniture, kitchen supplies, washers, dryers, and a full kitchen.
- Housing is offered on a month-to-month lease, up to 12 months. Extensions may be granted in six-month increments (up to two times) if extenuating circumstances apply, as determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Residents are responsible for a monthly housing program fee.
- All residents must adhere to the terms outlined in the Temporary Housing Program Agreement.
- Each household is assigned a case manager who will help develop a personalized recovery plan focused on transitioning to independent living. Support includes job and education resources, resume building, interview prep, and networking guidance.
Who Qualifies for Patriots’ Landing?
To be eligible, Veterans must:
- Have been honorably discharged or received a general discharge under honorable conditions.
- Either currently reside in Connecticut or have been a resident at the time of joining the U.S. Armed Forces.
Employment & Job Training Benefits for Connecticut Veterans
Veterans’ Priority Access to Employment Services
Veterans in Connecticut can take advantage of specialized support at American Job Centers (AJCs) across the state. These services are provided by trained Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialists and Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives (LVERs), who focus on helping Veterans—especially those facing employment barriers—secure meaningful jobs. Spouses and caregivers may also be eligible for assistance.
Veteran-Owned Business Contract Advantage
Connecticut supports Veteran entrepreneurs with a 15% bid preference on state contracts. To qualify, the business must be at least 51% Veteran-owned and meet micro-business standards (gross revenue under $3 million). Certification as a Connecticut Veteran-Owned Micro Business is required.
Paid Military Leave for State Employees
State employees who serve in a reserve component of the Armed Forces are granted 30 days of paid military leave per year. They retain all benefits, including seniority, promotions, and accrued leave during their service.
Reinstatement After Military Service
Connecticut ensures that state employees returning from active duty are reinstated to their previous positions with all benefits and pay protected.
Veterans Hiring Preferences – State and Federal
Connecticut State Hiring Preference
Veterans and eligible family members can receive additional points on state employment exams:
- 10-Point Preference: For disabled Veterans receiving VA compensation, their spouses, or surviving spouses.
- 5-Point Preference: For honorably discharged Veterans who served during wartime but do not receive VA compensation.
Federal Hiring Preference
Veterans applying for federal civil service positions may receive 5 or 10 additional points on their exam scores:
- 5 Points: For active duty service in wartime, specific conflicts, or campaign medal holders.
- 10 Points: For service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, or qualifying spouses and mothers of disabled or deceased Veterans.
Eligibility can vary based on service dates, nature of discharge, and disability ratings. Veterans separated due to hardship or service-connected injury may be exempt from service length requirements.
USERRA – Job Protection for Military Service
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects the civilian employment rights of those who leave a job for military service:
- Reemployment: Veterans are entitled to return to their civilian jobs with the same pay, seniority, and benefits.
- Five-Year Service Rule: Individuals may be absent from work for up to five cumulative years and still retain reemployment rights, with exceptions.
- Disability Protections: Employers must make reasonable accommodations for service-connected disabilities.
- Health & Pension Coverage: USERRA extends health care for up to 24 months during service and protects pension plan participation.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) helps enforce USERRA rights, including for federal and postal workers.
Additional Support: Hilton Honors Military Program
To assist with the transition from military to civilian employment, the Hilton Honors Military Program offers eligible Connecticut service members and Veterans up to 100,000 hotel points for job interviews, training, or relocation. A Hilton Honors account is required, and eligibility criteria vary by state.
Burials and Memorials
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) ensures that eligible Veterans and their families are remembered with dignity by offering a final resting place that honors their service to the nation.
Veterans can receive comprehensive burial benefits at no cost to their families. These include a gravesite in a national cemetery with space available, the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-issued headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. In some cases, Veterans may also qualify for a burial allowance to help cover related costs. Whether cremated or casketed, all remains are treated with equal honor and laid to rest in national cemeteries.
Spouses and dependents are also entitled to burial benefits. They may be laid to rest alongside the Veteran, and the headstone will be engraved with their name and relevant dates—again, with no charge to the family. Notably, eligible spouses and dependents can be buried even if they pass before the Veteran, and they aren’t required to be interred in the same cemetery.
National Cemetery Location in Connecticut:
- Middletown: State Veterans Cemetery
Connecticut VA Benefit Resources
Veterans in Connecticut have access to support through a Regional Benefits Office and multiple VA Medical Centers across the state.
Connecticut VA Regional Benefits Office
- Newington: Hartford Regional Office
Connecticut VA Medical Centers
- Newington: VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Newington Campus
- West Haven: VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven Campus
Key Information for Connecticut Veterans Seeking Benefits:
When applying for VA benefits for the first time, Connecticut Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214, which verifies military service details including discharge status, full name, Social Security number, branch, and service dates. Generally, an honorable or general discharge is required to qualify for most VA benefits.
Keep your discharge papers and medical records stored safely and securely, such as in a fireproof safe, to ensure easy access for you or your family and protection from damage or loss.
Most VA benefits depend on your discharge status. Eligibility typically requires separation from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable. Active duty refers to full-time service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration, or NOAA.
Veterans discharged under “dishonorable” conditions due to a general court-martial may be disqualified from receiving VA benefits. However, certain individuals, including incarcerated Veterans and parolees, may still be eligible for specific services. Contact a VA regional office for guidance on complex eligibility cases involving multiple discharges or incarceration.
Connecticut Veteran Assistance
Disabled Veterans in Connecticut with a VA disability rating of 90% or below may qualify for extra support and state-specific benefits. Vital Veterans Consultants offers a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to help evaluate your current claim and explore any additional benefits you may be entitled to.
Information current as of June 2025.
